Elastic Docking Electrode Structure for Misalignment Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional docking structures for autonomous vehicles face issues with poor docking due to translation and rotation errors, leading to inefficient electrical and informational exchange, and potential overheating.
Innovation Solution
A docking structure with parallel electrode groups connected by elastic structures that allow for freedom of movement in different directions, maintaining parallel surface contact despite docking errors, ensuring effective electrical and informational exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional docking structures are used, then the structure is simple, but translation and rotation errors cause poor docking and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode group is divided into multiple electrodes arranged in parallel, where at least one electrode can move relative to others along the normal direction of the contact surface. This segmentation allows individual electrodes to adjust independently, maintaining contact despite positioning errors while keeping the overall structure manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking structure transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic configuration where electrodes can move along the normal direction of the contact surface. This dynamic capability enables the electrode group to adapt to translation and rotation errors, improving docking reliability without requiring complex active control systems.
2Ease of manufacture
If rigid docking structures are used, then manufacturing is easier, but docking errors reduce contact area and increase heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode group is segmented into multiple independent or semi-independent electrodes that can move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the contact interface to distribute and adapt to positioning errors, maintaining adequate contact area and reducing localized heat generation while keeping each electrode component simple to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure allows change in the positional parameters of electrodes along the normal direction of the contact surface. This parameter adjustment capability enables the electrode group to compensate for docking errors, maintaining optimal contact area and reducing harmful heat generation without complicating the manufacturing process.
3Reliability
If fixed electrode groups are used, then the structure is stable, but translation and rotation errors cause poor electrical contact
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode group is segmented into multiple electrodes with at least one capable of independent movement along the normal direction of the contact surface. This segmentation provides redundancy and adaptability, ensuring that electrical contact is maintained even when positioning errors occur, while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable electrode configuration serves multiple functions: it maintains electrical contact under translation errors, compensates for rotation errors, and distributes contact pressure. This multi-functionality improves electrical contact reliability without requiring separate mechanisms for each error type, avoiding excessive structural complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The docking structure tolerates translation and rotation errors, maintaining a larger contact area for improved charging and information transmission efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the second electrode group is combined with the first base and has freedom in a first direction, moves in the first direction by a first elastic structure
Implementation Method 2
the first base is combined with the second base and has freedom in a second direction different from the first direction, wherein a second elastic structure is connected between the first base and the second base
Data Source
AI summary
A docking structure includes a first base and a second base connected to the first base; a first electrode group arranged in parallel and combined on an insulating block; and a second electrode group arranged in parallel with the first electrode group, wherein the second electrode group is used for bonding the first electrode group, the second electrode group is combined with the first base and has freedom in a first direction, moves in the first direction by a first elastic structure; the first base is combined with the second base and has freedom in a second direction different from the first direction. A second elastic structure is connected between the first and second bases. A first plane of the first electrode group and a second plane of the second electrode group are kept in parallel surface contact during docking the first and second electrode groups.